Two interesting instruments at Bernunzio's

[allenhopkins]

First, let me once again state that I am not shilling for John Bernunzio; strictly no financial interest (well, he's been known to give me a "good customer" discount on strings and Stetson hats, but that's it -- I swear!).

Stopped in today to look at his "big mando" inventory, and saw a couple that were really interesting to me -- and I'm not including the Martin D-28 guitar-to-4-string-mandocello conversion, Brazilian rosewood, nicely re-done headstock...

First is a bowl-back octave mandolin built in 2004 by a luthier named Ken McBride. There ain't too many bowl-back OM's, and this one's nicely made out of atypical woods, pearwood body and cedar top; it has a fixed guitar-style bridge, fairly lengthy but not bouzouki scale, a little tasteful mother-of-pearl on the bridge and around the soundhole, and a comfortable neck. The main drawback -- to me -- was the proliferation of quasi-Irish ornamentation on the body and headstock; I could do without the shamrocks and leprechauns etc. If someone wants a uniquely designed OM, this is one.

Second is the Gelas double-topped mandocello: Bernunzio's willing to break up the Gelas "family" he was selling only as a unit, and has put the instruments on sale, though they're still really pricey. This one's the most thunderous 'cello I can remember hearing, and whoever gets this one will have all the low-end he/she will ever need. Big wide neck, little bit of finish wear but no repairs I could see, "strikes like Thunderball" IMHO.

Escaped the store with my wallet intact, but the McBride tempted me. If it only didn't have the leprechaun...

[Jim Garber]

The mandocello is on consignment by a fellow MCer, Matthew, who goes by the screen name gweetarpicker or something like that. There have been other discussions about these particular instruments. He also IIRC has a collection of Bohmann instruments.

[brunello97]

You're local to Bernunzio's aren't you, Allen? Have you checked either of these out in person?
Would enjoy an earful of your relatively appreciation.
The Bowl-oc-tavey is one muy funkatitiosus looking piece of design work. Yikes.
The Gelas m'cello looks like a smooth stretch of highway Provencal.
Eyes only....
Mick

[Jim Garber]

You're local to Bernunzio's aren't you, Allen? Have you checked either of these out in person?
Would enjoy an earful of your relatively appreciation.
The Bowl-oc-tavey is one muy funkatitiosus looking piece of design work. Yikes.
The Gelas m'cello looks like a smooth stretch of highway Provencal.
Eyes only....
Mick

Look at his first post.

[brunello97]

Look at his first post.

Doh. Do I have to?

"The main drawback -- to me -- was the proliferation of quasi-Irish ornamentation on the body and headstock; I could do without the shamrocks and leprechauns etc."

And I'm Irish.......

Mick

[gweetarpicker]

Video of the Gelas mandocello: